Inhabitat: What inspired the Low Line?

Dan Barasch: When we found out about this incredible space underground the Delancey and Essex Street station in New York City, we learned that it is this massive location about 1.5 acres in size — 60,000 square feet — and it formerly fucntioned as a trolley terminal that was used for streetcars back when the city used streetcars to get people over the Williamsburg Bridge. When we learned about the space, we got this incredible idea to create a new kind of urban park, where the community could come for free all year round and enjoy plants, trees, grasses, etcetera.

James Ramsey: Our proposal is actually, if you wanna strip it down to its barest elements, to clean up this space and introduce natural light. About three years ago I started experimenting with solar irrigation technology. The studies that we’ve undertaken indicate that we can actually channel light down below to provide the right kind of light, and enough light, to actually grow plants.

Inhabitat: Can you describe how the technology works?

James Ramsey: The basic concept behind this kind of technique is an ancient one, and one that’s been done in many, many different ways. At its essence this technology involves concentrating natural daylight and then channeling that through a tube or fiber cable down to a super-concentrated bead that then redistributes that light at the end target. By inverting the way we’ve collected it, we’re able to create a simulation of a skylight.

Dan Barasch: This obviously would not be a tropical rainforest, but a big part of this is working very closely with some of the world’s best landscape architects and some of the best designers. We hope this can also be something that will inspire both New York City and other cities around the world to look at their underground spaces in different ways.

Inhabitat: So, what do you actually foresee going in this space? How are people going to use it?

Dan Barasch: So once we build and preserve this space for public use, that’s where we start getting into really fun ideas for what could happen down there. We’re talking very closely with the community about what they would use the space for; things like the opportunity to bring young people into the space, retail opportunities, as well as the ability to showcase some of the art and music that make the Lower East Side so incredible.

One thing that we’re very proud of is that we’ve worked with and have received the official endorsement of the Lower East Side Business Improvement District. I think what that symbolizes is that the business community in the Lower East Side sees this as a potential magnet for people who would come down to the Lower East Side for a whole host of reasons. This could also be a source of pride for the neighborhood and for the community.

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7 Comments

Yay! Just whats needed.. an underground hangout for skaters, homeless, delinquent students, and riff-raff. So who’s patrolling this new 60,000 square foot space? NYC Finest.. at a cost of course. And they still have to patrol up top too. I have a better idea. Say, underground parking. Free the surrounding streets of parked cars. Or better yet.. make it a citi-bikes depot. I can think of lots of public uses.

Jennifer BarbourMay 23, 2012 at 3:16 pm

Thanks for profiling this. A brilliant idea that is certain to catch on.

nicoleabeneMay 18, 2012 at 11:27 am

Wow! I can’t wait to hang out here – what a great use of space!

Yuka YonedaMay 15, 2012 at 12:02 pm

This is going to be the next biggest thing in NYC and is sure to add value to the nabe. Can’t wait!